I am bringing this to the public forum here, to help benefit others who may be looking to learn more about Neonatal NP's, as suggested by the member who PM'd me this information, I hope it is helpful to our readers.
Like I had said before, NICU is a very self-selective area, you either usually love it or hate it and if you love it, there are less people who want to leave the bedside to be a NP and more people who want to leave the bedside who do not want to do nights, weekends, and holidays for the duration of their career.
There is a shortage of NNPs and as the age of the average NNP is in the late 40s (I believe I heard that), it's only going to get worse and there aren't as many programs available now. The wage of NNPs is noted to be among the highest of NPs due to it being an in-patient role, an intensivist role, and to being a shortage. I personally know of one hospital that offers 15% extra on top of their salary for being a NNP compared to other NPs in the institution simply because it is highly sought after.
If we have a flood of new NNPs, certainly wages could go down (as general economic rules dictate), but I don't believe even with a flood of new NNPs that this will happen. NICUs are growing larger, not smaller, and more NNPs are running NICUs with fewer neonatologists. This is good business for the hospital if you can have an attending neo supervising the care of 20 babies while the NNP runs the day-to-day show with 2 NNPs managing primary care of 10 babies each. This is what actually occurs in most of the academic centers already.
Another thing to factor in is that the pediatric residency no longer requires 3 months of NICU, they only require 2 months, which leaves these hospitals shorter (in these institutions, there is usually a team of residents who manage primary care of babies with a supervising neo). Now some programs will keep on their 3 months of requirements, but the fact that it's no longer required will mean that some programs will not have it and will thus leave the NICU short for those months and who would fill the job demand but NNPs.
But I would keep in mind that if you don't love babies, the job probably isn't for you. I'm extremely lucky that I love this and get paid so well for it. But I'd be miserable otherwise because I know that I will work some nights, some weekends, and some holidays for the rest of my career. It's part of the deal. And for some nurses, that's a deal breaker. I don't have kids yet, but I know it will be tough once I do.
Anybody else wanting to add to this, please share.
To everyone on here, this is a great forum and I have been waiting for one if it's kind. One question though, what nnp program would you recommend and why? I'm looking to apply to distance programs mostly.
I went to Creighton's program (Omaha) that was distance-based -- it is now a DNP-only program however. I have heard good things about UAB and I think there's one in Chicago?
I'm in Creighton's currently, as a DNP. It's unofficial, but when I started last spring they were still letting people into the Master's program, but were not advertising it. I LOVE my program at Creighton. I feel like I'm getting a great education, that classes are well organized, and that things are set up to help you really learn, despite distance. My advisor is wonderful, and getting clinicals set up has been just fine, they are helping me every step of the way. Orientation last year made me definitely feel like part of the "Creighton family", and I'll be back this spring to do skills lab. I went to KU med for my RN-BSN and definitely did NOT feel this way about their program. I couldn't recommend it more highly. I have a friend at Duke's MSN program - she likes it a lot. I have a friend about to start at Vanderbilt - she feels good about it so far (she starts classes this month) but I have heard iffy reviews of it from other NNPs. One year to become a provider is pretty fast, in my opinion... and the reviews have pretty much been that their friends who are graduates of Vanderbilt haven't felt fully prepared when they graduated.
I currently work in a level III (30-50 babies, 23 weeks and up, gut surgery only, no cooling, no ECMO) that grows its own†NNPs. They have been urging me to pursue NNP since I was precepting on the unit. There is a stipend program that covers all tuition and expenses, requiring a commitment to the unit upon completion (most recent contract was for five years). It's a hard opportunity to pass up. My question…
As someone who thrives on the intensive†aspect of NICU, I'd eventually like to work in a larger unit with higher acuity. I'm the type who likes to take the sickest babies, and is always trying to figure out the odd cases that come through the unit. Initially I was planning on changing units and pursuing NNP down the line, but with current life circumstances, that move will not be happening at this point.
I'm a very loyal person and would put in my commitment to the unit and beyond, but I don't think this is where I want to spend the rest of my career. Would it be difficult to move from my current unit to a larger, higher acuity, research-type facility down the line? I'd probably be 40-45 by that point (early 30s now). I know people do it as RNs all the time, but would there be a downside to becoming a home-grown NNP and then trying to branch out? I'm quite open and adaptable, but I worry about outside perceptions and my chances of being given an opportunity. There isn't a lot of information on job outlook, so I thank you in advance for replies!
I know you posted this awhile ago, but I'm curious if you would share where your hospital is located. My husband and I are looking to move and this sounds like a great setup! We are completely open to anywhere in the country with good public schools.
I've been inactive on here for a while and I know this thread is old, but as a NICU nurse currently in the middle of a NNP program, it was great to stumble upon this thread! Sometimes it's discouraging when I mention to other nurses that I'm in NNP school and they grimace and tell me I should be picking FNP or PNP instead. My passion lies in taking care of neonates. It's the reason I changed careers in my late 20's and the reason I want to be a NNP. I'm supposed to graduate in August 2018 and cannot wait to progress in this amazing field! Thanks for creating this thread!
I've been inactive on here for a while and I know this thread is old, but as a NICU nurse currently in the middle of a NNP program, it was great to stumble upon this thread! Sometimes it's discouraging when I mention to other nurses that I'm in NNP school and they grimace and tell me I should be picking FNP or PNP instead. My passion lies in taking care of neonates. It's the reason I changed careers in my late 20's and the reason I want to be a NNP. I'm supposed to graduate in August 2018 and cannot wait to progress in this amazing field! Thanks for creating this thread!
Good for you!!! I like babies :) and wouldn't be happy taking care of anyone else (although I've started to flirt with being a CNM), so why would I have become a FNP or PNP?
Reading the first couple posts, I saw mention of the planning of a neonatal cardiac unit. Just wanted to share that it has finally opened this week (I work in the adult hospital):
Reading the first couple posts, I saw mention of the planning of a neonatal cardiac unit. Just wanted to share that it has finally opened this week (I work in the adult hospital):
Specializes in DNP, NNP-BC, RNC-NIC, C-ELBW, DCSD.
Great post! I have been a NICU RN for 2 years, just started this Fall at Rush University's DNP-NNP program. Son was a 22+1 weeker and fell in love with this place.
Itskelseyann
1 Post
To everyone on here, this is a great forum and I have been waiting for one if it's kind. One question though, what nnp program would you recommend and why? I'm looking to apply to distance programs mostly.